RSM or AoPS -- which one?
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Anonymous
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For parents who have their children in either of the programs, what do you like about the program? My DD is in RSM, but wondering if AoPS would be better.
Please refrain from turning this into a diatribe about how coaching and prepping is unnecessary--you know nothing about why we're doing it so don't bother with the negativity--and stick to the original question being asked, otherwise I will ask JSteele to remove your comment. Thanks for playing by the forum rules! |
Anonymous
| The grass is always greener. |
pettifogger
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I can speak for AoPS since I teach there but I don't know much about RSM, although I've heard that it is also a good program. AoPS is very rigorous and has a high ceiling for challenging problems with the goal of stretching even the strongest students in a classroom. Do you have specific questions/issues? |
Anonymous
| AoPS is great, but I've also heard wonderful things about RSM. I would base my decisions on cost, proximity, and schedule logistics. The AoPS classes pretty closely follow the Beast Academy textbooks for 2nd-5th grade, and then the AoPS pre-Algebra and beyond for the other classes. The kids do 1 hr 45 minute classes with teacher led instruction, problems, reinforcing activites, and so on, and then they get about an hour of homework each week. |
Anonymous
| 12:31 PP again. Does RSM also have language arts classes? One of the nice things about AoPS is that they have a great language arts program that teaches all of the grammar and writing process that isn't taught in FCPS. |
Anonymous
Does AoPS test in order to see which class a child belongs in? Or do you start with the grade you're in, irrespective of knowledge? Also, anything you can share about how the math curriculum is built at AoPS? (Are you a math teacher at AoPS?) |
Anonymous
| I'm not the AoPS teacher, but I can answer the first question. They'll give placement tests upon request, and they'll place children in higher grade levels if appropriate. There are a couple 4th and 5th graders in my kid's pre-algebra class. |
pettifogger
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Yes, I teach at the local campus; the placement is not quite based on grade, but more on current math level. You can schedule an appointment with the director and they will give the child a diagnostic test to figure out which class would be the suggested fit. You can read more about the curriculum on the aops.com website which also also has links to the Beast Academy curriculum for elementary school students. |
Anonymous
DD started at AoPS this year, but after a couple of classes we switched to RSM. What I like about RSM is the possibility to choose a class on DD's level. They have regular classes and advanced classes on each grade level, as well as math competition team. It's also possible to go a grade up, if necessary. My DD's just did this. So far we really like it. DD enjoys the additional challenge and she made friends with the other kids. |
Anonymous
What prompted the switch to RSM? We are currently with RSM and contemplating AoPS, so curious to know why? Is it because AoPS wouldn't allow your child to switch to a higher grade learning? |
Anonymous
DP, but from what I can tell, a main difference between AoPS and RSM is how they handle the very advanced students. In AoPS, the kid tests into and takes class with a higher grade level. This can be a bit socially awkward, though, since the kid won't have a peer group of similar aged kids. A 3rd grader in 5th grade math will for the most part be in a class filled with 5th graders. RSM seems to have "advanced" grade level classes. So that same kid who would skip ahead two grades at AoPS could take the "advanced" class for their grade or one grade level up and be with other very smart kids around the same age. So, it depends on how well your kid can function with kids who are much older, and how important the socialization aspect is for your kid. |
pettifogger
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I have not noticed any differences in kids on a social level at AoPS. While classes are primarily formed by ability level, most kids are +\- 1 grade within a target grade level of the subject. In any case classes cover a lot of content and there is limited time for socialization during class. The cases I’ve seen where kids do not seem socially engaged are mainly related to their interest level (I.e they cannot contribute much to discussions because they are behind and/or not grasping the material). There are also a few cases where kids are shy and prefer to work by themselves. |
Anonymous
At the risk of "outing" myself, my kid is one of the ones +3 grades advanced at AoPS. We haven't experienced any social problems, but my kid certainly isn't set up to make friends there with other kids who love math. The age difference is just too large. I agree with the bolded bit, and that's kind of the point. AoPS will be great at teaching math, but it's not going to be a social outlet for your kid. RSM might be a better choice for kids who want that social outlet. |
Anonymous
OP here, I'm not really looking for a social connection at either place--don't think it makes sense for kids who are in elementary school and have their own friend circle. The reason I'm contemplating a change is because of the teaching aspect of RSM--I'm not sure that there really is math being taught during the class time. Seems like they are given a worksheet and the teacher reviews how to answer the worksheet. So, it makes me wonder what is actually being taught. I'm hoping that AoPS isn't run the same way. For the folks who have their kids in AoPS--can you describe how math classroom teaching works? |
pettifogger
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I'll let others describe their own experiences but I can describe our classes from a teacher perspective. An AoPS class session is once per week for 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are a few slight differences between the Beast Academy series (lower level curriculum) vs the main AoPS textbooks (upper level curriculum). Beast Academy typically starts with a small core lecture on the content from the guidebooks (kids take turns doing the reading and we stop anytime questions are posed). This generally lasts up to 30 minutes. For approximately the next hour students work on problems in groups, and present solutions in front of class if they choose to. Techers circle around helping students who are stuck, or challenging students who are ahead. Problems are given based on the content/theory covered in the first 30 minutes of class and generally get more difficult to allow them to practice problem solving. The last 15-20 mins of class is spent on a tricky puzzle/game activity that engages the class and is usually on the same theme as the material covered in class. It can either be a collaborative exercise where they try to solve something together, or a mini competition/game, etc. For the upper level classes (Prealgebra and above) the core is longer and typically lasts up to an hour (sometimes a bit more depending on how challenging/theoretical the material is, as well as the pace the particular class can handle). Unlike Beast Academy, there is no reading done in class, kids are expected to do the reading assignments before class to prepare. The core involves the teacher first introducing the topic/theory as well as working through some problems on the board which highlight that theory. We try to minimize "lecturing" and instead use an inquiry approach where we ask kids lots of questions, essentially leading/guiding them to try to discover the solutions on their own. This approach works very well if the kids have done the reading before class, if they have not and are therefore seeing the material in class for the very first time, they typically have a harder time answering questions and being able to take the lead through the material. In the last 45 minutes kids will then work in groups to solve a set of "extension" problems which take the core concepts learned in class and apply them to problems. Again they can work together or alone, can come up and present solutions, etc. When time permits we also have an end of class activity for the last 15 mins to further extend their understand of the concept, but in some classes there is not enough time to get to it (it again depends on the pace that a particular set of kids in a particular class can handle). |